USL HONORS: Toronto FC II’s Endoh named player of week; Ex-Cosmos Calvillo, Ledesma on team of the week

TAMPA, Fla. – Toronto FC II midfielder Tsubasa Endoh has been voted the United Soccer League player of the Week, it was announced Tuesday.

The Japanese midfielder recorded four goals over two games in the week, including an outstanding hat trick in Toronto’s game against Eastern Conference-leader FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium Sunday night.

Endoh received 44 percent of the poll conducted by a national panel of independent media representing every USL market. FC Cincinnati’s Emmanuel Ledesma, a former Cosmos, and Ottawa Fury FC’s Maxime Crepeau finished tied for second with 25 percent apiece.

USL team of the week

GK – Maxime Crepeau, Ottawa Fury FC: Crepeau recorded his league-leading 13th shutout of the season – tying the USL single-season record – with a five-save performance in Fury FC’s 2-0 win against the Richmond Kickers.

D – Paco Craig, Louisville City FC: Craig recorded assists on both of Louisville’s goals in the club’s 2-2 draw on the road in Pittsburgh and recorded 10 clearances while winning seven of 10 duels in two games over the week.

D – Claudio Munoz, Tulsa Roughnecks FC: Munoz had a stellar game at the back as the Roughnecks defeated San Antonio FC 2-1, winning 10 of 12 duels overall and recording five interceptions, five clearances and three tackles.

D – Walker Hume, Orange County SC: Hume helped Orange County record a road shutout victory in Fresno with 10 clearances and three interceptions while also winning 11 of 17 duels overall.

M – Eric Calvillo, Reno 1868 FC: Calvillo’s first goal for 1868 FC was the game-winner as the side moved back into the playoff positions with a 1-0 victory against the LA Galaxy II on Saturday night at Greater Nevada Field.

M – Tsubasa Endoh, Toronto FC II: Endoh scored four goals across Toronto’s two-game road trip, including the first hat trick of his career on Sunday evening against FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium.

M – Emmanuel Ledesma, FC Cincinnati: Ledesma recorded four assists over two games during the week, including three helpers on Sunday against Toronto FC II that saw him claim the USL single-season record for assists.

M – Corben Bone, FC Cincinnati: Bone recorded three goals across two games, including scoring twice in FCC’s late rally against Toronto FC II on Sunday evening, to keep the club’s winning streak alive at seven games.

F – Daniel Rios, North Carolina FC: Rios scored the lone goal as North Carolina took a crucial victory in its bid for a place in the USL Cup Playoffs on the road against Penn FC on Sunday evening.

F – Chris Cortez, Phoenix Rising FC: Cortez was active all game in Phoenix’s victory against Seattle Sounders FC 2, finishing with five shots and two key passes while notching the game-winner in Rising FC’s 1-0 win.

About The Author

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered eight World Cups, seven Olympics and all 21 MLS Cups. He writes about New York City FC, New York Cosmos and the U.S. national team for Newsday and pens a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has two more in the works, including one about the Rochester Lancers.